S.U.B or american fender?!?! Need to know EXTREMELY QUICK THANKS!!

[bassist18244]

What is different about a musicman S.U.B from a stingray. I love the stingray but may have found a good deal on a SUB would an american fender be a better choice?

 

[TheBassGuy]

I think it depends on what kind of music you're gonna be playing with it. They have two totally different sounds...

Quality wise the S.U.B. is on the same level as the American Fender. I love my Stingray. It's rock solid and sounds great, but for some music I find it less usefull. Same goes for Fender basses. Sound good too, but for some music it's less apealling.

What basses do you currently own?

 

[lowmid]

You know you are in a EBMM endorsed forum right?? So people are all going to tell you to get the sub!

 

[SquidLizard]

What lowmid said.

I just traded for a SUB Sterling with Mr. Small EQ. I can get a wide variety of tones from it and it's a comfy player. It is altogether different from a U.S. Fender.

Can you try both of them? If not, and if you're not clear on the comparison between tones, I'd go for the one that's the best deal (i.e. the best resale). If you're getting a used SUB for a good price, I'd say, "Go for it!" My SUB Sterling is a great bass.

Another thing I base my choices on, when I can't play the bass I'm thinking of buying, is whether the specs make sense for my playing comfort. For me, the important things are neck thickness and weight. What are they for you? How do each of the basses fit with that? Ergonomics are important. Tone will make you choose a bass, but comfort will make you keep picking it up, day after day.

One other thing. In my experience, all Fender basses are a little hit or miss in terms of consistency, unless you get a really high end one. From what I've heard around here, the SUBs are, like other EBMM basses, very consistent.

Good luck!

 

[RobertB]

What is different about a musicman S.U.B from a stingray.

Sound-wise/tonally, and in terms of construction and playability, there is no difference. The SUB is made in the same factory, here in the US. The differences are cosmetic only. Same electronics, etc...

 

[TNT]

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuubbbbb!!!!

 

[the unrepentant]

SUB bass all the way, i find mine pretty flexible in that i can use it for anything, from funk, to soft rock to thrash metal, nu metal and hardcore. That combined with the price i think, puts the SUB way ahead of the fender. Not to mention 'that' musicman sound and obvious quality control issues some fenders have, which are, quite literally, non existant on any musicman instrument. SUB all the way.

 

[bassist18244]

well i just really don't know but the reviews that i just recieved so quickly THANKS!!! might have swayed my descision from an american fender to a sub
Thanks again everyone!

 

[oddjob]

Just as a side note... the SUB is all EBMM... electronics are the same... here are the differences: no body contours, textured finish, diamond plate p guard... that is pretty much it. All of the SUBs I have played sound like their other EB brethern (SUB Ray sounds/plays like a Ray, SUB Sterling sounds/plays like a Sterling)

 

[Dr Stankface]

I thought SUBs were made of poplar.


Maybe i'm retarded.

Yeah.

 

[Duarte]

Yes they are, but many older stingrays were too.

 

[Hutton]

I play both. Love em' both.

 

[Old_Guy]

I think it depends on what kind of music you're gonna be playing with it. They have two totally different sounds...

That's it right there, really. The new American Standard F****rs are nice, but really just a modern upgrade of a 40 something year old design. I've played them several times, I like 'em. If I ever launch that '60s AM Radio Top 40 cover band, I may consider one.
On the other hand, I can get (if the need arises) very close to that sound with my Sterling HS, so I don't "need" one. Depending on which iteration, your SUB will do whatever it's full priced brother will (StingRay or Sterling). Which SUB were you looking at?
The other thing to consider is they don't make the SUB anymore...!

 

[renholder]

Didn't wanna start a new thread. I really want a Stingray, but really can't afford it. Plus, I know if I got the Stingray I want, I'd baby the thing. So I just picked up a SUB w/hardshell case for $450 off eBay. Can't wait to try it out.. and at that price, I can beat it up a bit without regret.

 

[the unrepentant]

awesome, congrats! you won't regret it, they sound just like a ray

 

[renholder]

Anyone know where to get pickguards that fit the sub?

 

[the unrepentant]

order one from EBMM, it's exactly the same as a stingray pickguard, or you could get one online, in any music shop, ebay etc etc take your pick.

 

[Steamthief]

Have you played both basses you're considering? Which Fender are you looking at?

Let your ears be your guide.

 

[Oldtoe]

I have a Bongo 4HS that can get some really nasty single-coil bass sort of tones. The dual pickup models of the other Music Man basses can do the same, but not quite as gritty as the Bongo. I also have a SUB that is just wonderful.

 

[pudgychef]

I love my SUB. For the prices out there you can't get a better bass in that range...

$450 a previous poster just paid? THAT IS A LOT OF BASS for $450 congrats~!